Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Jharkhand siblings die after snakebite treatment is delayed
A poisonous snake entered a family’s home in Jharkhand.
It bit a 14-year-old girl named Seema and her younger brother Shiva while they were sleeping.
The siblings woke up and told their family what had happened.
Instead of taking them directly to a doctor, the family first consulted a sorcerer.
The children were later taken to Sadar Hospital in Seraikela.
Shiva died while traveling to the hospital.
Seema died soon after she arrived.
A civil surgeon said important time was lost before medical treatment began.
Fourteen-year-old Seema Jonko and her younger brother Shiva Jonko were bitten by a poisonous snake.
The snake entered their home in Santari village, Kharswan block, around 5 a.m.
The siblings informed their family after waking up from the bites.
Their family consulted a sorcerer before taking them to Sadar Hospital in Seraikela.
Shiva died on the way to the hospital, while Seema died soon after arriving.
- Who
- Seema Jonko, 14, and her younger brother Shiva Jonko.
- What
- The siblings died after being bitten by a poisonous snake.
- When
- The snakebite occurred around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18.
- Where
- At their home in Santari village, Kharswan block, in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district.
- Why
- The deaths followed the snakebite; officials said medical treatment was delayed after the family first consulted a sorcerer.
- Victims
- Seema Jonko, 14, and her younger brother Shiva Jonko
- Incident
- Both siblings were bitten by a poisonous snake
- Approximate bite time
- Around 5 a.m.
- Initial response
- The family consulted a sorcerer instead of immediately seeking medical care
- Hospital
- Sadar Hospital in Seraikela
- Deaths
- Shiva died on the way; Seema died soon after reaching the hospital
- Official comment
- Civil Surgeon Dr Saryu Prasad Singh said the family lost crucial time after the incident